Olivia Riemer

With her eye on the ball, freshman and midfielder Megan Leahy competes for the ball in a game against Marquette. This is Leahy’s first year to play competitively. “I like that the game is really fast paced, but I also really like that in lacrosse, you have to rely on other people to make everything happen,” Leahy said.

With a 6-3 record, the varsity girls lacrosse team now has their sights set on making it to the semi-final round of playoffs, which begin May 14.

“Since there are a lot of underclassmen on the team, one of our goals is to just really learn the game and get better at it together,” freshman and midfielder Megan Leahy said.

Leahy started playing lacrosse in fourth grade when she did her first summer camp and has loved the sport since.

“There are a lot of rules in lacrosse, so my goal is just to learn them and get better at my stick skills,” Leahy said. “We do a lot of scrimmaging and so if they call a foul, I always make sure to ask what it was so that I can learn from my mistakes.”

In order to improve, the team takes time after every game to debrief and talk about their strengths and weaknesses.  

“The game of girls lacrosse is not only about endurance and being physical, but also about running plays and being aware of everything around you,” junior defender Sutton Oliver said.

Oliver has played lacrosse for the past four years. This season she is seeking to improve her ability to read the game and other players.

“I am working on not just seeing and getting narrow vision on the ball, but understanding and observing the players facial and eye movement to better understand what they are thinking,” Oliver said.

Junior defender Harper Stewart, who has been playing lacrosse since the end of eighth grade, is looking to improve her speed.

“You need that extra sprint power to stop a fast-break,” Stewart said. “I try to get a long run in at least twice a week, and wall ball [drills] whenever I have the chance, so my speed work won’t impact my stick skills.”

The team traveled to Memphis April 13 to play against regional teams. They won their first game of the weekend with a score of 6-4, but the other two were canceled due to rain. However, in spite of the weather, the team was still able to go sightseeing and bond as a group, visiting Beale Street and Bass Pro Shop.

“I’m starting to see it even now, but I really want our team to continue to grow closer together, both on and off the field. It makes games and practices not only more enjoyable but also a lot more effective,” Stewart said.

Aside from learning and improving at the game, the girls are equally focused on developing team unity.  

“We are all taught to think and act as one. You know your teammates’ strengths and weaknesses and they know yours,” Oliver said. “It is one of the best feelings when we all come together and flow as one unit.”